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^^Always the appropriate response. As for the restraint news...YAY! Can't wait to hear reports. Hopefully this really will be the solution.

I wouldn't mind checking this out someday. I've always liked the idea of enclosed cars on a Ferris wheel. Not to make it less scary (with the extra height, I'm not certain it even would be), but just for a different ambiance, I guess.

^It really is photogenic. I didn't even realize the color scheme was that nice until now, with it popping against the sky. Even knowing exactly where it is, I still have a hard time picturing it in the park. I really need to get back...

That's a very kind way of putting it. I'd say Keansburg is easily the sketchiest park of its kind (and probably overall) I've visited, except for maybe Fun Forest. Good thing sketchy appeals to me. I didn't even realize the Sea Serpent doesn't always allow adults. I got on alone, though I did eventually invite a kid to sit next to me for capacity reasons or somesuch. I remember the unusual Wildcat operations, but that was okay considering the low crowds when I was there.

I usually don't keep track of this, probably because it mostly happens on flat rides and kiddie coasters. However, I was the only person on Great White at Morey's for one lap during ERT last year. Everyone else had had well more than enough at that point. Actually, after the first time I rode Great White, I was convinced I would never ride it again because it was so rough. But ERT brought me back, and when I finally found "my" seat, I was happy to stay there for a while.

That's good to know. I'd probably either make sure to get to the ride immediately, or just go with Gold (or no) FP and have that be my big line to suffer through for the day. That worked out fine for me with SFOT and NTag (similar, but not identical, policy) on its opening day last year.

It's cool that Silverwood will be getting some attention. I, for one, still love Aftershock...

Thunderbolt is such a cute classic ride, and the flexing is really pronounced. I didn't think it was too great the first time I rode it, but when I returned later I felt a number of surprising pops of air. I'm guessing it just takes time to warm up? By the way, I had no idea Thunderbolt was originally built for the 1939 World's Fair in Queens, and was named Cyclone. Ah, the joys of perusing RCDB...

^My thoughts exactly.

Oh, how I love Starflyer photos. Plus, the color coordination on this one is miles better than the typical Six Flags models.

Yup! Here was my itinerary: May 19th: Elitch Gardens (page 2) May 20th: Mile High Flea Market and Heritage Square (duh) May 20th AGAIN!: Lakeside Amusement Park (TR coming soon) Also, I'll be back in Denver in a couple months.

I'm not sure I'd ever seen the trains...I mean train...up close before; it looks pretty neat. The theming looks good, too. Glad to hear some positive reports, and looking forward to more!

Any details on this? Is it 100% strict, or is it simply for capacity reasons? Does it apply to the other coasters? Then again, I'm not certain I'd want to suffer through this park again without TPR, anyway...

^I do think pretzels feel more intense the closer to the back you get. That could very well be a reason I love SFGAdv's S:UF (rode back row) but don't especially care for SFGAm's. In 2010 the advice was to hit Ragin' Cajun ASAP, but I would imagine X-Flight has tweaked that (and is, of course, a much higher priority).

Guesses: a colour photograph of Olympia Looping Bahn? [LAUGHS] You got it!

19/30. I did cheat on one question, because some "study material" was right in front of my eyes and I couldn't resist.

Any obviousness aside, it's still exciting that the roll is confirmed!

^^^Yeah, I must admit that commercial was kinda cute. And, more importantly, not annoying.

I used to have not even the slightest problem visiting parks solo, but I think in the future I'd like to minimize it, and try to avoid going out of my way to visit more than the occasional park alone. However, I was at Elitch Gardens alone recently and had a great time, as there was plenty to do and the people were friendly. Sidewinder was my first coaster of the season, too, and I agree with you. The front is definitely worth it, but it seemed pretty intense throughout the train. I went for VIP Rapid Ride, myself, and when I didn't have my lanyard out I was asked to show it once, and trusted another time. I agree that it would be best to check them all the time, to keep the value of paying more for VIP. I'm also sorry (but glad for confirmation that I'm not just clueless) that Rapid Ride access is indeed confusing at times... Anyway, great pics and report!

Wow, great to see a funhouse with both exquisite theming and loads of old-fashioned stunts. That's definitely going on my must-do list. Hopefully everything stays in good working order for years to come.

^Yeah, they sure have a LOT. At least they aren't annoying. Agreed; it's also in my top 20 steel. Lightning Racer is my second favorite coaster there, and makes my top 20 wood. Glad you had a good time!

Mile High Flea Market (Henderson, CO) and Heritage Square Amusement Park (Golden, CO) Let's take some time to recover from the latest and greatest thrill machines (that's you, Vekoma SLC and Boomerang) with some Colorado fun a little closer to the ground, which is no major downgrade considering that said ground is one mile above sea level! We'll start out by hitting Mile High Flea Market in time for the 10:00 rides opening. (The market opens at 7:00 in the morning Friday through Sunday, so keep that in mind if you're a shopper.) Pay the -per-person fee at one of these booths, and you're set! Or get in for FREE because you're cool and scored extra tickets the day before. All the skateboarding bulldogs wept, and slowly rolled away on wheels lubricated with tears. Stuff gets sold here. Bought, too. Can't very well do one without the other, right? Just be careful, or you might catch some bugs from your mile high endeavors. No, I don't know what is up with Colorado and this style of tent. But I'm sure someone here does. Mile High Flea Market is offering an online BOGO coupon for ride tickets, which are 75 cents each. The Dragon Coaster costs 2 tickets per rider. If Billy wants to ride the Dragon Coaster one time and he has one free ticket, how much did Billy pay for his other ticket? If your answer was NOT "75 cents," then I will be very, very concerned, unless there are special circumstances involved. The dragon fancies himself a VERY attractive fellow. He imagines that one glance at him could aggravate a heart condition (all that fluttering isn't good for some people) or cause one to faint. He's convinced you might even want to take your shirt off right then and there! What do you think? A bit grandiose, right? Or did you too collapse in a passionate swoon? Of course, I am most interested in, um, another body part. (Relax, I'm talking about tails here. Dragon tails are cute, all right?) This is my absolute FAVORITE kind of Dragon Wagon: Double Spiral (1 climb, 1 down). What's yours? Hello? Anybody? Dragon Wagon Double Spiral is also my favorite yoga position. I like to meditate on all the kiddie coasters I will be able to fit on if I exercise regularly. Say it with me: EXCITEMENT! And exciting it was. Not the most airtime a Dragon Wagon has ever proffered, but plenty of intense laterals. GREAT views of the flea market, too! This is a mini-Himalaya of some sort. Or should I say Mini-Rockies? That looks like a giant tongue. But a Super Happy Fun Tongue, so it's all good...I think? Mini-Sizzler for Sizzler-riders in training. Although, assuming it's significantly tamer than the big version, those kids are going to be in for a real shock when they ride a real Sizzler for the first time. Your standard car-ousel. It's named Umbrella, since that is, after all, the basic theme of the ride. Does this count as a dark ride, or is it just an outdoor ride with dark ride elements? Don't worry, I jumped out of the way at the last possible second. If only I had just read the "TUNNEL" sign so I'd have known there was a tunnel there. Moving on. There was live entertainment, or at least an attempt at something of that nature. There was fair fare, or as some might call it, scare fare, since it could very well end up killing you. Some of the storefronts had funky facades like this. I don't have anything else to say about this place, so here is a picture of a horse. Since you won't find this anywhere on the Internet outside of Big Mike's thread, here are the ride hours at Mile High Flea Market: 10-4, Saturday and Sunday only. I'm assuming a traditional amusement park season such as May-September, though the market itself is open year-round. Let's head to Heritage Square for their 11:00 opening. The park is nestled in this lush location just a little ways past the town proper (if you think you missed it, you probably didn't). That's kind of an ugly building, which doesn't bode well for theming in the rest of the park... Ever wonder what it's like on the other side? Well, here is a photo from somebody who saw the light and crossed over. Just off the entrance is this quaint events center, where, shockingly enough, an event was occurring today. Oh my goodness, it's a Victorian oasis! I seriously had no idea what Heritage Square looked like before visiting. Or, if I did, I forgot. But now I know that it looks...like this. And now you know too! Let's check out some rides! You know there is something wrong with you when you can hum along with the carousel music. So, for your sake, I hope you can't. Some kind of fancy walk-through...with prizes? The maze. Oh, and heritage and stuff. Gotta have heritage. Where you go first if you want to ride rides, or if someone special you love very much wants to ride rides. It's also an arcade. But not a Fascination parlor (darn!). Scrambler. This park is a bit more "grown-up" than the flea market, but even so, you'll probably only want the credit(s) if you're alone. I think this was closed? If not, it did a GREAT job fooling me. Romantic swan boats for you and your date. But you're a coaster enthusiast, so of course you don't have one. Good old-fashioned Tilt-A-Whirl! Kiddie banana-planes? Wait a minute, that IS what they are?! I was just joking...did not notice this at the park! Kiddie swings. No, really, you won't fit. Don't even bother asking (or asking why I know this). Up, up and away, in my beautiful, my beautiful imitation of a hot air balloon. "Does this really go all the way to Mt. Kilimanjaro?" What's this? Cook and eat your very own roller coaster??? Did you know that this here is Indiana Jones' favorite ride? Stuff you should know. Because there WILL be a quiz later. Overview. Also, there is a Ferris wheel. Empty planters equal theming. Fire hydrants equal even better theming. Meet Mr. Pit. Sorry, folks, but that's "Python," not "Brad." READY? SET? GO! That was fun. Here's the mini-golf. Well, not the whole thing. Even going to the bathroom is fun at Heritage Square! (Not in a creepy way.) For older thrill-seekers, there is an alpine slide as part of Heritage Square. And if you've ever wanted to get some action a mile high, it looks like you can do that here too. But the younger folks don't have to miss out on the alpine fun. At Heritage Square, simply drag the nearest ride op to the ride you want (even if it's something lame like this). No waiting around hoping someone notices you, or waiting for a switch (hi Keansburg and Scandia). Pa rum pum pum pum! And now, what I REALLY came here for. Isn't he ADORABLE? Rough overview. You best believe I count powered. Two ACErs (or parents...of kids, not ACErs) are allowed per ride. Cute Innocent Mike, meet your cousin, Stoner Sally. Big red barns are, of course, an iconic hallmark of the Victorian era. Anyone else hungry for some gingerbread? These make me so very, very happy. It isn't nice to talk about how they make me happy, though. But this one is held up only by stilts! What if there's a beaver infestation? Hurry, run for open ground! And now you know that credit whoring in Colorado is easy as can be!

^I don't know, but I think I'm more scandalized by this:

Nice to hear that DCA is more of an all-day park now. Last time I was there, I was happy to leave in the afternoon.

Keansburg: creepy as all get-out, but in a perversely endearing way. I did enjoy looking over at NYC from Wildcat.